According to All Africa News, the three companies operating in the Ivory Coast tuna sector, namely Castelli, Pêche et Froid and Scodi, together agreed to offer the Ivory Coast Government and Army thousands of 200 gr cans of tuna, valued at 15 million francs. This was decided during a meeting held with the Ivory Coast Minister of Livestock, Production and Resources, Mr. Kobénan Adjoumani earlier this month.
Ivory Coast Authorities see this as response to the government’s patriotic call in its battle against rebel troops, which occupy a part of the country.
During the meeting, the representatives of the three companies processing and transforming tuna explained the problems the tuna sector is facing: strong supervising authority, security problems at the fishing port, questions on the restitution on the government must pay them regarding VAT and the threat of tough competition appearing in the horizon because of the OMC provisions which eliminate the advantages offered by European the ACP-Union Agreements (exemption of 24% customs duties and taxes). In response to the tuna industrialists concerns, the Minister reassured to be on their side and promised to take all the necessary steps to resolve their problems.